一叶障目(一葉障目)
一叶障目 (yī yè zhàng mù) literally means “leaf blocks eye”and expresses “miss big picture”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom & learning.
Also searched as: yi ye zhang mu, yi ye zhang mu,一叶障目 meaning, 一叶障目 in english
Pronunciation: yī yè zhàng mù Literal meaning: Leaf blocks eye
Origin & Usage
This idiom illustrates how a single (一) leaf (叶) can block (障) one's vision/eyes (目). Emerging from Buddhist texts warning against limited perspective, it gained prominence during the Song Dynasty's Neo-Confucian movement. The deceptively simple image of a leaf blocking an entire view became a powerful metaphor for how minor distractions can prevent broader understanding. In contemporary contexts, it critiques tunnel vision in decision-making, from business strategy to political analysis, reminding us that fixation on small details can obscure the larger picture.
When to Use
Situation: The team got lost in technical details and forgot the project's main goal
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
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游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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见好就收
jiàn hǎo jiù shōu
Quit while ahead; take profits
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急流勇退
jí liú yǒng tuì
Retire at the peak; know when to quit
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 一叶障目 mean in English?
一叶障目 (yī yè zhàng mù) literally translates to “Leaf blocks eye”and is used to express “Miss big picture”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theWisdom & Learning category..
When is 一叶障目 used?
Situation: The team got lost in technical details and forgot the project's main goal
What is the pinyin for 一叶障目?
The pinyin pronunciation for 一叶障目 is “yī yè zhàng mù”.
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